Bulk (Whole-rock) Only Analysis
    K/T GeoServices, Inc.
        X-ray Diffraction Mineralogy with Impact
 
 
 
 

Home	Sample Preparation Samples submitted for whole-rock mineral analyses are first disaggregated in a mortar and pestle.  Approximately five grams of each sample are then transferred to water or isopropyl alcohol and pulverized using a McCrone micronizing mill.  The resultant powders are dried, disaggregated, and pressure-packed into aluminum sample holders to produce random whole-rock mounts.
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Analytical Procedures
XRD analyses of the samples are performed utilizing a Rigaku or Scintag automated powder diffractometer equipped with a Cu X-ray radiation source (40 Kv, 35 mA) and a solid state or scintillation detector.  The whole-rock samples are analyzed over an angular range of 2 - 60 degrees 2 theta at a scan rate of one degree/minute using a sample spinner to reduce the effects of preferred orientation.

Quantitative determinations of whole-rock mineral amounts are done utilizing integrated peak areas (derived from peak-decomposition / profile-fitting methods) and empirical reference intensity ratio (RIR) factors determined specifically for the diffractometer used in data collection.  The total layer silicate (clay and mica) abundance of the samples are determined on the whole-rock XRD patterns using combined {00l} and {hkl} clay mineral reflections and suitable empirical RIR factors.

Data reported in the table and provided to you as a spreadsheet or other computer-readable file are formatted as weight percent, but are actually calculated as weight fractions.  Therefore, slight rounding errors may be observed in the formatted data.